ID 18.2.1 - Footnotes not auto-numbering within doc

Hi -

creating a book file comprised of about 25 individual .indd files. Each file has its own footnotes. All the files are working as expected with auto numbering working correctly for eavh footnote within the file ---- except one file that I cannot get autonumbering to work. All the files are based on the same parent page formats, all paragraph styles are loaded in each doc based on the universal styles created (without any docs open). The "footnote" style I created (original name huh?) is exactly the same in every file, but one file still will not auto number - every footnote in the offending file is "1". I've deleted all the footnotes from the offending file, re-loaded the footnote paragraph style from the original source used for each file, saved the file, reopened the file and re-entered the footnotes. No change. 
really don't want to have to recreate the entire file but that's what I'm looking at unless someone out there has an idea. The remaining 24 files are all working properly. I've looked through the community for help but haven't found any solution that solves the problem.

any and all ideas welcome!

jim cooper